Studies Newton's Laws, linear and circular motion, energy and momentum, static equilibrium, rotational motion, kinetic theory, fluids and thermodynamics; includes lab.

Continuation of PHYS 1001. Studies harmonic motion, wave motion and sound, electrostatics, DC circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, light, optical instruments, interference and diffraction of light, modern physics; includes lab.

Survey of physics for science and engineering majors. Studies conservation of linear and angular momentum systems; conservation of energy systems; kinematics and dynamics for 1 and 2 dimensions; applications including rotation of rigid bodies, harmonic motions, and changes in temperature or phase; and introduction to special relativity. Requires use of introductory differential and integral calculus. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1003, 1003H, 1013, or 1013H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. dis.

Survey of physics for science and engineering majors. Studies conservation of linear and angular momentum systems; conservation of energy systems; kinematics and dynamics for 1 and 2 dimensions; applications including rotation of rigid bodies, harmonic motions, and changes in temperature or phase; and introduction to special relativity. Requires use of introductory differential and integral calculus. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1003, 1003H, 1013, or 1013H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. dis.

A continuation of PHYS 1003. A survey of classical electromagnetic theory, with an introduction to modern physics. Studies electricity and magnetism including Coulomb’s law, electric fields and potentials, circuits, Ampere’s law, Faraday’s law, electromagnetic waves. Also studies classical and quantum waves, interference and diffraction, geometric optics, atomic structure and the nucleus. Requires use of introductory differential and integral calculus. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1004, 1004H, 1014, or 1014H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. dis.

A continuation of PHYS 1003. A survey of classical electromagnetic theory, with an introduction to modern physics. Studies electricity and magnetism including Coulomb’s law, electric fields and potentials, circuits, Ampere’s law, Faraday’s law, electromagnetic waves. Also studies classical and quantum waves, interference and diffraction, geometric optics, atomic structure and the nucleus. Requires use of introductory differential and integral calculus. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1004, 1004H, 1014, or 1014H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. dis.

An introduction to the science of the atmosphere as it relates to the weather of the earth, including important environmental issues such as global warming and air pollution. Topics include: atmospheric gasses, heat transfer, causes of the seasons, humidity, clouds, atmospheric stability and motions, air masses, fronts, and pressure systems, thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes and weather forecasting.

Physics of the solar system, stars, galaxies and the universe. Experimental methods of observational astronomy, telescopes, and space probes. Special topics such as black holes, neutron stars and quasars are covered.

Impact of human activities on the environment, especially the consumption of fossil fuels. Population distribution and growth. Energy balance of the earth. Energy, land and water use, the water cycle. Effects of chemical and physical pollutants on water and the atmosphere. Course designed for non-science majors.

A study of motion in its various forms, translational, rotational, and vibrational, that emphasizes their underlying unity, especially the central role of energy and its conservation, and their basis in the fundamental Newtonian laws of motion and Einstein's special relativity. These ideas are used to explain thermal processes. Command of high school algebra, geometry, trigonometry is assumed. Requires the use of introductory calculus. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1003, 1003H, 1013, or 1013H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. quiz.

A study of motion in its various forms, translational, rotational, and vibrational, that emphasizes their underlying unity, especially the central role of energy and its conservation, and their basis in the fundamental Newtonian laws of motion and Einstein's special relativity. These ideas are used to explain thermal processes. Command of high school algebra, geometry, trigonometry is assumed. Requires the use of introductory calculus. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1003, 1003H, 1013, or 1013H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. quiz.

Continuation of PHYS 1013. Examines the development of energy as a fundamental concept, includes a study of electric and magnetic phenomena and their unification in the theory of electromagnetism. Applications are made to waves, geometric and physical optics, atomic spectra, and nuclear decay and introductory quantum mechanics including wave function and bound systems. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1004, 1004H, 1014, or 1014H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. quiz.

Continuation of PHYS 1013. Examines the development of energy as a fundamental concept, includes a study of electric and magnetic phenomena and their unification in the theory of electromagnetism. Applications are made to waves, geometric and physical optics, atomic spectra, and nuclear decay and introductory quantum mechanics including wave function and bound systems. Students may receive credit for only one of PHYS 1004, 1004H, 1014, or 1014H. 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr. quiz.

An introduction to the department, the culture of physics and the myriad career possibilities that a degree in physics opens up to a student. This includes what the student groups do and why they're useful, what careers are available to physics majors, talks from faculty members about their research, tours of sites in industry that have internships available for physics students and attendance at department colloquia.

An introduction to methods of communication of research and scientific results. Students read, present, discuss and write overviews about important scientific results communicated through a variety of modes of communication, including but not limited to journal articles. Includes topics of general interest, breaking research and scientific ethics and may include required attendance at any department colloquia.

A survey, including applications, of quantum mechanics including the 1-D Schrodinger equation, the hydrogen atom and angular momentum. Atoms and the forces between them, molecules, the states of matter, kinetic theory, perfect and imperfect gases. Statistical physics: classical statistics and the Boltzmann factor, quantum statistics.

A comprehensive study of mechanical and electromagnetic oscillators and waves as understood with ordinary differential equations. Application includes the simple harmonic oscillator; driven/damped systems and coupled oscillators; scattering-interference/diffraction; matrix methods; eigenvectors and eigenvalues; normal modes; and complex variables.

Taken concurrently with approved courses offered by the Opus College of Engineering. With permission, a student may take this course in lieu of the prerequisite for the paired Engineering course. Addresses missing prerequisite content.

Introduces computational methods for simulating physical systems, solving problems, analyzing and presenting data, and performing error analysis arising in physics and related fields. No prior experience with computer programming required. Programs such as Matlab or Python are used to investigate problems. Computational methods taught are used in upper-division Physics courses.

Designed to prepare students to apply for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU's), summer positions, graduate schools, full-time career employment, Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions. Covers development of proposal, cover letter, research statement, curriculum vitae and resumes. Builds awareness of available resources.

Introduction to astrophysical problems, with emphasis on underlying physical principles; includes the nature of stars, equations of state, stellar energy generations, stellar structure and evolution, astrophysical neutrinos, binary stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars and pulsars and novae and supernovae.

Nature of the Milky Way galaxy from an observer's perspective: stellar statistics and distributions, stellar populations, spiral structure, the nucleus and halo. Nature of ordinary galaxies, galaxies in our Local Group, structure of voids and superclusters. Nature of peculiar objects: Seyfert galaxies, starburst galaxies, and quasars. Elementary aspects of physical cosmology. Introduction to techniques used in modern optical and radio astronomy with emphasis on the physical and mathematical understanding of the detection of electromagnetic radiation.

Experiments in a variety of modern physics topics. Laboratory safety and methods, scientific writing and error analysis.

Three-dimensional motion of a particle in both Cartesian and spherical coordinate systems. Newtonian dynamics, central forces. Lagrange's and Hamilton's formulations of analytical mechanics, angular momentum, Kepler's problem and the dynamics of a rigid body.

For students completing a pre-approved full-time internship or co-op comprising of at least 240 hours. Placement internship in research or industry in an applied physics setting. Internships must be approved in advance. Responsibilities include relevant academic content. Grading and credits are accomplished by registering for PHYS 4989 during the following term. Fee. S/U grade assessment.

For students completing a pre-approved full-time internship or co-op comprising of at least 240 hours. Placement internship in research or industry in an applied physics setting. Internships must be approved in advance. Responsibilities include relevant academic content. Grading and credits are accomplished by registering for PHYS 4990 during the following term. Fee. S/U grade assessment.

Quantum states, state vectors, observables and operators. The formal structure of quantum mechanics. Time evolution of the state vector. The Hamiltonian. Position and momentum representations, and the wave function. One-dimensional wave mechanics and the harmonic oscillator. Three-dimensional wave mechanics. Symmetry, angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom. Fermions, and bosons. Perturbation methods.

Electrostatics: Coulomb's law and Gauss' law. The electric field in dielectric materials. Microscopic theory of Ohm's law and steady state currents. The magnetic field, Biot-Savart law, Ampere's law, the vector potential. Magnetic materials. Electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law. Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves.

Applications of Maxwell's Equations to vacuum and material propagation. Both long wavelength and short wavelength limits (physical and geometric optics) are analyzed along with cavity solutions (lasers) and wave guides (microwave propagation and fiber optics).

Studies biophysics, a multidisciplinary subject that integrates physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and even philosophy. Students learn how basic physics principles (mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, etc.) are used to explain and manipulate biological systems and processes. Explores current research in biophysics, including cellular mechanics, optogenetics, molecular dynamics of proteins, and quantum effects in biological systems. Also explores such questions as what is the origin of life, can life be fully described using physics principles, and is life possible on exoplanets? Involves significant writing and presenting a review paper where students can deeply explore a relevant topic of interest.

Explores Einstein’s theory in which gravity is not a force, but a property built into the fabric of the universe – the curvature of four dimensional spacetime. Overview of special relativity including spacetime diagrams, four-vectors, and the relative nature of time and distance. Introduces tensor calculus, non-Euclidean geometry, geodesics and arbitrary coordinate systems. Analyzes the Schwarzschild spacetime, planetary motion and black holes. Studies Einstein’s experimentally verified predictions including topics such as perturbations in Mercury’s orbit, gravitational lensing and neutron star mergers. Special topics include gravitational waves and the large-scale evolving structure of the universe.

Further development of experimental techniques learned in PHYS 3056. Student-led development of projects.

Fundamental concepts of thermodynamics: temperature, internal energy, entropy and thermodynamic potentials. Laws of thermodynamics, their consequences and applications. Introduction to statistical thermodynamics.

Principles and applications of laboratory and clinical methods in biophysics. Lab methods include mass spectrometry, IR, Raman, UV-visible, fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray spectroscopy and cryo-EM. Clinical methods include MRI, X-radiography, advanced X-ray methods and nuclear imaging.

Quantum mechanics of one and many electron atoms. Spin, orbital, and total angular momentum. Atoms in electric and magnetic fields, the Stark effect and the Zeeman effect. Atomic transitions, symmetry and selection rules. The periodic table and shell structure. Modern spectroscopy.

Topics covered may include: experimental methods in nuclear and particle physics; theories of nuclear structure, radioactivity, decay schemes, fission and fusion models, conservation laws; elementary particle classifications and the Standard Model.

Crystal structure of solids, the reciprocal lattice and diffraction. Lattice vibrations and thermal properties. Electrons in metals, band structure and semiconductors. The Fermi surface. Dielectric and magnetic properties of solids. Superconductivity.

Topics drawn from areas of current interest such as astrophysics, atmospheric physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics or particle physics.

Critical analysis of the original works of scientists who have made significant contributions to Physics. May not be used as an upper division elective course for the physics major.

Critical analysis of the original works of scientists who have made significant contributions to Physics. May not be used as an upper division elective course for the physics major.

Overview of the process for applications for graduate school and/or employment in physics after completion of an undergraduate degree in Physics.

Research project conducted under the direction of a faculty adviser.

Research project conducted under the direction of a faculty adviser.

Full-time co-op or internship grading period. Grading for preceding co-op work assignment is accomplished by completing a report on the work assignment, a report on academic material related to the work assignment and other materials, as required. Grading is completed during the term following the work assignment. S/U grade assessment.

Full-time co-op or internship grading period. Grading for preceding co-op work assignment is accomplished by completing a report on the work assignment, a report on academic material related to the work assignment and other materials, as required. Grading is completed during the term following the work assignment. S/U grade assessment.

Faculty-supervised, independent study/research of a specific area or topic in Physics. May not be used as an upper division elective course for the physics major.

Students propose and develop an independent project that is informed by the physics learned during the course of study. The project chosen may be experimental, theoretical, computational or observational but should target physics beyond the introductory level. A written report on the project and an oral presentation or demonstration are required.

Quantum states, state vectors, observables and operators. The formal structure of quantum mechanics. Time evolution of the state vector. The Hamiltonian. Position and momentum representations, and the wave function. One-dimensional wave mechanics and the harmonic oscillator. Three-dimensional wave mechanics. Symmetry, angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom. Fermions, and bosons. Perturbation methods.

Electrostatics: Coulomb's law and Gauss' law. The electric field in dielectric materials. Microscopic theory of Ohm's law and steady state currents. The magnetic field, Biot-Savart law, Ampere's law, the vector potential. Magnetic materials. Electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law. Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves.

Applications of Maxwell's Equations to vacuum and material propagation. Both long wavelength and short wavelength limits (physical and geometric optics) are analyzed along with cavity solutions (lasers) and wave guides (microwave propagation and fiber optics).

Studies biophysics, a multidisciplinary subject that integrates physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and even philosophy. Students learn how basic physics principles (mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, etc.) are used to explain and manipulate biological systems and processes. Explores current research in biophysics, including cellular mechanics, optogenetics, molecular dynamics of proteins, and quantum effects in biological systems. Also explores such questions as what is the origin of life, can life be fully described using physics principles, and is life possible on exoplanets? Involves significant writing and presenting a review paper where students can deeply explore a relevant topic of interest.

Explores Einstein’s theory in which gravity is not a force, but a property built into the fabric of the universe – the curvature of four dimensional spacetime. Overview of special relativity including spacetime diagrams, four-vectors, and the relative nature of time and distance. Introduces tensor calculus, non-Euclidean geometry, geodesics and arbitrary coordinate systems. Analyzes the Schwarzschild spacetime, planetary motion and black holes. Studies Einstein’s experimentally verified predictions including topics such as perturbations in Mercury’s orbit, gravitational lensing and neutron star mergers. Special topics include gravitational waves and the large-scale evolving structure of the universe.

Fundamental concepts of thermodynamics: temperature, internal energy, entropy and thermodynamic potentials. Laws of thermodynamics, their consequences and applications. Introduction to statistical thermodynamics.

Principles and applications of laboratory and clinical methods in biophysics. Lab methods include mass spectrometry, IR, Raman, UV-visible, fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray spectroscopy and cryo-EM. Clinical methods include MRI, X-radiography, advanced X-ray methods and nuclear imaging.

Quantum mechanics of one and many electron atoms. Spin, orbital, and total angular momentum. Atoms in electric and magnetic fields, the Stark effect and the Zeeman effect. Atomic transitions, symmetry and selection rules. The periodic table and shell structure. Modern spectroscopy.

Topics covered may include: experimental methods in nuclear and particle physics; theories of nuclear structure, radioactivity, decay schemes, fission and fusion models, conservation laws; elementary particle classifications and the Standard Model.

Crystal structure of solids, the reciprocal lattice and diffraction. Lattice vibrations and thermal properties. Electrons in metals, band structure and semiconductors. The Fermi surface. Dielectric and magnetic properties of solids. Superconductivity.

Topics drawn from areas of current interest, such as: astrophysics, atmospheric physics, condensed matter physics or particle physics.

Used to enroll a MU or non-MU student who is not enrolled in the term, but is on campus for an educational experience other than academic credit, such as work in a lab or clinic. Used for tracking purposes only. S/U grade assessment.